Recovery of the Puerto Rican Parrot

Puerto Rican Parrot recovery program

The Puerto Rican parrot recovery program is an effort to conserve, protect and manage wild and captive parrots in order to downlist the species from endangered to threatened.

The Iguaca, as the Taino Indians named it, is found only in Puerto Rico. There are three wild populations, including the oldest group in El Yunque National Forest. The second group of parrots is in the Río Abajo State Forest. A third population was introduced into Maricao Commonwealth Forest in November of 2016.

Station goals

• Coordinate interagency recovery efforts through partnerships and using the best available science
• Implement recovery activities, coordinate management and research for the only native parrot in U.S. territory
• Release captive-reared parrots into El Yunque National Forest and Río Abajo Commonwealth Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Puerto - Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, respectively
• Manage the Iguaca Aviary and provide state-of-the-art veterinary care to captive reared and wild parrots
• Promote conservation of habitat for the Puerto Rican parrot and other endangered, native, and migratory bird species
• Promote international technology interchange and assist other nations manage vulnerable bird species
• Promote awareness and education for the plight of the Puerto Rican parrot
• Refine management practices in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey, Mississippi State University, Lincoln Park Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the University of Puerto Rico.